There are 2 possible options on the next model, the will either add a Taptic feeback on the current TB which could help those with the ESC key being so flat. Or they might add a 15" without the TB instead adding physical keys. But there not to add a physical ESC key with the TB that would look awkward.
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How happy are you with you Macbook Pro 2016?
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Yes, it is on the touch bar. That is why I said "physical key".
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It was for me. I am in the terminal a lot, and use the "esc" key by feel. For some like myself, it would be like having the shift key be a part of a touch bar.
I know, and I understand, but that is where progress stops - if we don't adapt to new methods, we'll use mouse and keyboard for the next 100 years. And Apple is even too conservative here, it's just one touch bar on an otherwise classic input method.
And they really put the effort to make it useful. I mean, there are numerous virtual buttons for the Terminal, and you can remap a different key for esc if you need it - for example, BTT allows a specific key to be remapped for a specific app, just while you're in that app. For example, if you don't use CAPS in Terminal, you can easily set esc to that, while still enjoying the benefits of the Touch Bar.
I'm not trying to convince you, I am just trying to understand how is it that some people - and I know I risk sounding like a kid here - don't like "new things"? New ways of doing things? I mean, it adds fun (and before you say it - I think fun and professionalism actually go well togeather) to the same old workflow you probably used for years - and with just a few tweaks, you can probably get things to run even better than before. Like, you can remap the esc key to something you don't use at the Terminal, and at the same time add custom shortcuts for operations you do use. With a few small apps, you can even run entire scripts from the Touch Bar.
In the end - you still don't have to like it. I'm not saying it's for everyone. But saying "it's a deal breaker" just by looking at it and noticing there is no physical esc key - and rejecting all of these opportunities - because of one button you can remap.... That's.... I don't know, that's kind of boring, honestly
Same here. I've had, what, at least half a decade to get used to typing on glass, and I'd still rather use a physical keyboard if I'm going to type for more than a few minutes.
It's the need to hover my fingers off the glass that makes it suck. Hard to touch-type when I can't touch, and it keeps tension across the back of my hands because my fingers can't rest on the glass.
But you don't type on glass on the MBP. You type normally. However, a row of rarely used keys is not interactive, and addition, not replacement to the physical keys.
Sheesh, guys. Your waiters must have a hard time.
What I meant was (and with more context),
Some are saying that one path of keyboard progression would mean an all-glass touch panel like the iPad has now.
This could allow any manner of interactions and gestures (remember those FingerWorks keyboards?) and a multi-use interface.
What I'm saying is, for typing, a dedicated tool like a physical button-based keyboard is still the best tool for the job.
Great suggestions for touchbar. Needs to do so much more than just replacing a row of keys.
I know, and I understand, but that is where progress stops - if we don't adapt to new methods, we'll use mouse and keyboard for the next 100 years. And Apple is even too conservative here, it's just one touch bar on an otherwise classic input method.
And they really put the effort to make it useful. I mean, there are numerous virtual buttons for the Terminal, and you can remap a different key for esc if you need it - for example, BTT allows a specific key to be remapped for a specific app, just while you're in that app. For example, if you don't use CAPS in Terminal, you can easily set esc to that, while still enjoying the benefits of the Touch Bar.
I'm not trying to convince you, I am just trying to understand how is it that some people - and I know I risk sounding like a kid here - don't like "new things"? New ways of doing things? I mean, it adds fun (and before you say it - I think fun and professionalism actually go well togeather) to the same old workflow you probably used for years - and with just a few tweaks, you can probably get things to run even better than before. Like, you can remap the esc key to something you don't use at the Terminal, and at the same time add custom shortcuts for operations you do use. With a few small apps, you can even run entire scripts from the Touch Bar.
In the end - you still don't have to like it. I'm not saying it's for everyone. But saying "it's a deal breaker" just by looking at it and noticing there is no physical esc key - and rejecting all of these opportunities - because of one button you can remap.... That's.... I don't know, that's kind of boring, honestly
Nice post, and I agree...we need to try new things, But before going to a touch bar I would be happy with a separate delete/backspace key, or even renaming the "return" key to "enter".
I have no issue with trying new things, and I am glad they are, but removing something instead of just adding seems a step backwards IMO. I have no issue with the touch bar as I stated it was the removal of the "esc" (escape) physical key, and moving it to the touch bar. Much of what we do is by feel, and they removed that on a main key for many.
To me it kind of looks like Apple is delaying the enviable of the touch screen. I am not a big fan of said screen, but it seems like it is more of a natural progression.
I am just glad they made a laptop without it, or I would have had to go with a Windows based PC (the horror).
Well, it looks another keyboard is about to bite the dust. An this has made me think. And I have a question, many, but as it relates to the new keyboard, by the way was asked in a library today to stop typing as it disturbed others, for those with keyboard issues, did your learn on mechanical typewriters, buckling spring keyboards, etc.
I am beginning to thing the keyboard is perhaps too delicate for touch typist who are old school.....Just a thought.
I am beginning to thing the keyboard is perhaps too delicate for touch typist who are old school.....Just a thought.
Typing style is probably a factor. It's certainly a factor for the amount of noise.
I would think so, since there are a lot of people who learned to type on keyboards with a lot more resistance than the current MBP. I would think it's less of a problem for younger individuals who probably learned to type on squishier keys.
Here's hoping that Apple addresses the criticisms in the next spec bump.
In my testing the new MBP, I found the keys to be too loud. I'd rather not be THAT person in a quiet conference room clacking away as I type.
I would love to know if others here have considered ditching Apple for a PC. I'm at a crossroads with Apple, their products are overpriced and underperform. I need a new laptop and workstation, but am considering going PC. Does anyone have input?
There's 440 posts ahead of yours to read for answers.
I like to think I am OS agnostic but definitely have a preference. I'm equally comfortable in either environment. So I "ditch" Apple for PC all the time. We all pretty much know what we're going to get with both. Decide what you think is important to you and that's your answer. I've clearly made my choice (this go around), and it doesn't have much to do with specs and/or price. If those things are a priority for you as implied by your "overpriced and underperform" comment, then get a spec'd out PC and don't look back. Every PC sold meets somebody's needs whether Mac or Windows.
Not sure why there is a perception among some that Apple has made a drastic change in philosophy or turned their backs on an entire industry. It's just another manufacturer and not a cult. It's one of the many choices out there, of which there are many good ones.
Brilliantly put.
Regarding the "Cult" aspect, some people voicing their opinions (in the wild, as well as here among other places) could probably benefit from examining their own mindsets, and how that relates to expressing views that could be construed as "cultish". Regardless of OEM.
While no decision has been made, we have brought in Dell XPS15. Too early to tell, however, initial indications are there are many positive factors....
Yes I got a Lenovo M900 Tiny to replace my Mac Mini.
Today I went to John Lewis to replace my 13" Mac Book Pro with a Lenovo 900S as I missed having a laptop and I've been using my iPad.
However they didn't have any in stock, started looking at the Macs and chatting with the salesman who's steering me to a Mac Book.
I'm not happy with the spec so he pops off and comes over with a base Mac Book Pro return, immaculate £250 off with 3 years warranty.
No brainer, long term it's a better deal when it comes to selling and no messing with windows, came out with a big smile on my face, not what I was expecting to do.....
Here's my update, as previously promised:
Well, after a full month of using the 15" TouchBar MacBook Pro as my main computer, I'm returning it.
It's nice to have more speed under the hood versus my 2014 15" model, and it sure runs more quietly and cooler. The brighter screen would be nice if I had taken it outside (which I don't do very often), and I guess the speakers could be useful if I forget my portable ones. And one day, those 4 USB-C ports will come in handy for sure.
But that's about it. I still dislike the keyboard. I still find myself accidentally hitting the touch bar keys far too often. The larger trackpad annoys me, although thankfully not as much as I initially feared. Muscle memory shouldn't be this hard to re-wire. With my dog constantly walking by, I miss MagSafe, as much as it annoys me. And I just don't care about the slimmer form factor.
I've personally owned over 20 Mac portables over the last 17 years, going all the way back to the G3 Pismo. I've always felt with each iteration that the positive changes far outweighed the negatives. I just can't say the same here.
The sad thing is that I am a total performance hound as I tax my systems in a variety of ways. I really wanted to love this thing. But now I don't think I'll be upgrading when new models come out later this year, either. The performance jump is going to have to get pretty big for me to get over the things I don't like.
I know thousands and thousands of people out there are using and loving the Touch Bar models. It's just not for me. What a shame.
In an ideal world, I'll find a 2015 on a great deal and trade in my 2014, which is still under warranty. That would make me happiest for now.
Well, after a full month of using the 15" TouchBar MacBook Pro as my main computer, I'm returning it.
It's nice to have more speed under the hood versus my 2014 15" model, and it sure runs more quietly and cooler. The brighter screen would be nice if I had taken it outside (which I don't do very often), and I guess the speakers could be useful if I forget my portable ones. And one day, those 4 USB-C ports will come in handy for sure.
But that's about it. I still dislike the keyboard. I still find myself accidentally hitting the touch bar keys far too often. The larger trackpad annoys me, although thankfully not as much as I initially feared. Muscle memory shouldn't be this hard to re-wire. With my dog constantly walking by, I miss MagSafe, as much as it annoys me. And I just don't care about the slimmer form factor.
I've personally owned over 20 Mac portables over the last 17 years, going all the way back to the G3 Pismo. I've always felt with each iteration that the positive changes far outweighed the negatives. I just can't say the same here.
The sad thing is that I am a total performance hound as I tax my systems in a variety of ways. I really wanted to love this thing. But now I don't think I'll be upgrading when new models come out later this year, either. The performance jump is going to have to get pretty big for me to get over the things I don't like.
I know thousands and thousands of people out there are using and loving the Touch Bar models. It's just not for me. What a shame.
In an ideal world, I'll find a 2015 on a great deal and trade in my 2014, which is still under warranty. That would make me happiest for now.
That's on my short list, and I'd be interested in hearing your experiences as time goes by. I'm probably going to wait until I see what apple does for the next version of OS X before fully committing to the XPS.
Will keep return with results. At the moment, from what I have noticed, and I do not use one every day, build quality is much better than I expected. To be clear, it is not as good as the Mac. However, I am surprised by the quality: more than sufficient. And as comes no surprise based on my comments, it has FN keys, smaller track pad, escape key, etc. As I am a fan of the speed of the C ports on the Mac, I do not like going backwards to the soon to be legacy ports, lack of speed, charging, etc. Camera position is stupid.
Of course, the major stumbling block for me, as we work in many languages is the OS. Windows is just not as adaptable with multi-language needs. And I find much not as user friendly for simple quick thinks such as screen captures, dragging tables and images from one file, etc.
However, will take more time to run the analysis.
I strongly considered the Dell XPS 15 for the better specs and much lower price (over $1000), but I can't do it. I don't like Windows, and as good as the XPS is, it's not as good to me as the new MBP. The build quality, display, speakers, support, and OS of the new MBP is just unbeatable to me. I know if I got any other computer, I'd regret it and wouldn't enjoy using it as much on a day-to-day basis. This is entirely subjective though. If you like Windows or prefer value more, I can totally see the appeal to the XPS. But, unfortunately for my wallet, I can't buy a computer just based on specs and value. The heart wants what it wants.